Spain had to do it the hard way as the European giants huffed and puffed their way to a slender 1-0 win over Iran.
After Portugal’s victory over Morocco, Spain had to respond with a similar result to keep their hopes alive. La Roja did the job in the end but could not deliver a satisfying performance.
Iran on the other hand defended magnificently and kept this Spanish elite attacking unit under wraps for the majority of the game. Costa’s goal was a fortuitous one, as a messy attack in the Iranian box led the ball to bounce back off him into the back of the net.
Iran created a number of half chances in the final quarter of the game. But a lack of a killer pass in the final third deprived them of a memorable draw against the mighty Spain. Without further delay, let’s take a look at the best and the worst players from Spain’s 1-0 win over Iran
Best- Diego Costa (Spain)
The hot-headed striker seemed to be on the verge of losing it on numerous occasions in the first half. He stepped on the Iranian goalkeeper and was agitated by the referee. He also got in a tense clash with Beiranvand. It may have been due to the fact that Costa was hardly involved in anything meaningful in the first half.
Spain enjoyed more than 75 percent of the possession but were unable to break down a six-man Iranian back-line. All of their neat, one-touch passing were not helping them to find a breakthrough. Then came a moment of which Diego Costa is the master.
A half chance was converted into a goal by the mere presence of the Atletico hit-man. He unsettled the Iranian defenders marking him which made them clear the ball hastily. The clearance hit Costa and it bounced off into the back of the net.
Costa has now scored three goals with three shots on target in the World Cup and is proving he is capable of leading the Spanish attack.
Worst – Lucas Vazquez (Spain)
Drafted into the side after the 3-3 draw against Portugal, Vazquez was specifically given the role of stretching the Iranian defence on the right flank. Spain knew that Iran would apply a low block and Fernando Hierro hence went in for a traditional winger in Lucas Vazquez to help his side out on the right side.
Spain hoped to get Vazquez wide out which would then give their army of creative midfielders avenue to utilize space left behind by the covering defenders. But Vazquez did nothing of that sort.
The Real Madrid man lacked spark on the night and could not get the better of the Iranian defence. His delivery was sub-par and he was also often seen coming inside to get involved which negated Spain’s strategy of using pace and width. He was later taken off for Marco Asensio.